The Used Parts of Jimbo Winslow: A Love-Stained Southern Coming-of-Age Story

by Travis Johns

James “Jimbo” Winslow is the football golden boy of a forgotten Tennessee town in the Appalachian Mountains, but growing up in an abusive home leaves scars he can’t outrun.
A chance at escape pulls him away just as the town threatens to swallow him whole. With a fresh start and a full scholarship, Jimbo is on his way. Until a life-threatening injury stops him cold.
Adrift and far from home, Jimbo’s search for success and belonging drags him all the way to Hollywood, and through some of the darkest corners of his own ambition and desire, stripping away every illusion he’s held about who he is and what he deserves.
When he finally returns to Tennessee, he finds a home that feels both familiar and foreign, a born-again mother he can’t entirely trust, and ghosts from his past he can’t ignore. Forced to confront the people he left and the boy he used to be, Jimbo must decide whether he can forgive, be forgiven, and risk love again in the place that both raised and ruined him.
The Used Parts of Jimbo Winslow is a raw, darkly funny, and devastating coming‑of‑age novel about the damage done where love should have been, and the dangerous, defiant hope of loving anyway, even if it costs you a part of yourself.

293 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2026

About the author

Travis Johns is a writer, director, producer, and actor, from the Appalachian Mountains of East Tennessee, whose work centers on intimate, performance‑driven stories about race, family, and desire. He has appeared in over 60 Film/TV shows, and in the Broadway national tour of “To Kill A Mockingbird.” He has written and directed two short films, and his debut feature film “Nitty-Gritty” will be released in 2027. His debut novel, The Used Parts of Jimbo Winslow, was published in 2026.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

I almost gave up on this book after reading the first chapters as Jimbo, the main character, was so unlikeable and I found it difficult to relate to him. From the start we follow Jimbo's life as he selfishly goes after his dreams at the expense of everyone else, sometimes making good decisions but more often than not really bad ones.

It also took me a while to get used to the writing style, it's definitely more on the "tell, not show" side, which for me made it harder to connect to the characters. However I did enjoy Jimbo's character progression, and how he ultimately learned from his mistakes and finally showed some maturity.

The last part of the novel, once he goes back home and reconnects with the people from his past was quite emotional and resonated more with me, and made me glad I stayed with this book till the end.

[Ann T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimbo Winslow lives life focused on his dreams and being true to his biggest desires. It is heartening and yet frustrating being along side him as he sets his sites on his most captured prize. I guess that is the beauty of youth, the brashness and being invisible, enables you to chase your dreams despite. ……..

Jimbo was brave, strong, determined and on more than one occasion totally frustrating. But he was also proud, fragile and desperate for love, seemingly throwing its offers away in search of greater things. He was a young man who stood true to his values and there was so much to be admired in a young man who was rising above so many challenges he had faced.

I really enjoyed this novel. The characters were well developed, the storyline flowed really well and despite not being a huge football follower or lover I was totally drawn in. I admired Jimbo as a main character as he matured and grew. Through his maturity he came to learn big life lessons and developed wisdom often taking a lifetime to realise.

Jimbo’s story brings us full circle as he chases his dreams and comes to understand what truly matters.

Travis Johns afterword about himself reveals his novel runs similarities of his own life from the physical occurrences. I’d love to know how he relates to Jimbo and how deep the psychological similarities are between writer and character.

Thank you Y A N O L A B and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in return of my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. 4.5 stars.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving this book five stars because I hate sports, but somehow every play was interesting. That's hard to do. I genuinely loved every second of this. I love a tearjerker but this one wasn't one. It just sits with you. It makes you hold your breath. It settles a pit in your stomach and a little ache in your chest. I don't know how it could have been any better. I will be referencing this ALONGSIDE To Kill a Mockingbird the next time I'm talking about my favorite books.

[Josie Johns · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent book

Excellent work! Kept my interest throughout book. Couldn’t wait to see what would happen next. Didn’t want to stop reading!

[Charls R. Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This is a gripping story written by a very talented writer. Many books are slow at the start. Not this one. Travis Johns captures you on the first page.